Comments on the Belmont Club: "Hate choo"

Sullivan and Olberman inhabit different worlds. Fifty years from now, when Olberman will only remembered, if at all, as an answer to a daytime quiz show question, Sullivan will still matter to some people. He is a citizen of the Republic of Letters by virtue of letters patent issued by Magdalene College Oxon, The Atlantic and Harvard where he studied under Harvey Mansfield. The actual quality of his contributions over the last 8 to 10 years is irrelevant.

Olberman is an argument for a shareholder's revolt in corporate governance equivalent to the Tea Party revolt in political governance. Olberman destroys value. To me he symbolizes Management unzipping its fly at the sweaty masses who pay the bills. He is there because it pleases them to keep him there.

The insecure Bourgeoisie women whiskey describes hate Sarah and Todd Palin because they fear that she will show how shallow they are. They may dream that they are Lady Di but in their bones they are merely Keeping Up Appearances. They are no better than the pretentious Hyacinth Bucket. In their minds the Palins are no better than Rose and Onslow.


The breadth and durability of the damage done to Palin is impressive. I have heard from people who are from all points on the political spectrum reflexive denunciations of her delivered with all the certitude and reflexiveness of well crafted agitprop. "She could not name a newspaper she reads." That is said by people who themselves stopped buying newspapers 5 years ago. People who pride themselves on their reasoned analysis of any problem fall into the trap. It can happen to any of us.

Why do men obsess over women, blaming them for our failures or attributing our triumphs to the inspiration of a Muse? It is an old story and often the most common of us are inspired to reach far, even beyond our capacity. Habu was right on this. There is always a woman, art tells us so.

What's playing at the Roxy?
I'll tell you what's playing at the Roxy.
A picture about a Minnesota man falls in love with a Mississippi girl
That he sacrifices everything and moves all the way to Biloxi.
That's what's playing at the Roxy.

What's in the daily news?
I'll tell you what's in the daily news.
Story about a man bought his wife a small ruby
With what otherwise would have been his union dues.
That's what's in the daily news.

What's happening all over?
I'll tell you what's happening all over.
Guy sitting home by a television set
That used to be something of a rover.

That's what's happening all over.

Love is the thing that has nipped them.
And it looks like Nathan's just another victim.

NICELY (spoken) Yes, sir!

When you see a guy reach for stars in the sky
You can bet that he's doing it for some doll.
When you spot a John waiting out in the rain
Chances are he's insane as only a John can be for a Jane.
When you meet a gent paying all kinds of rent
For a flat that could flatten the Taj Mahal.
Call it sad, call it funny.
But it's better than even money
That the guy's only doing it for some doll.
When you see a Joe saving have of his dough
You can bet there'll be mink in it for some doll.
When a bum buys wine like a bum can't afford
It's a cinch that the bum is under the thumb of some little broad.
When you meet a mug lately out of the jug
And he's still lifting platinum folderol
Call it hell, call it heaven
But it's probable twelve to seven
That the guy's only doing it for some doll.

(interlude)

When you see a sport and his cash has run short
Make a bet that he's banking it with some doll.
When a guy wears tails with the front gleaming white
Who the hell do you think he's tickling pink on Saturday night?
When a lazy slob takes a goody steady job,
And he smells from vitalis and barbasol.
Call it dumb, call it clever
Ah, but you can get odds forever
That the guy's only doing it for some doll
Some doll, some doll
The guy's only doing it for some doll!
[ Guys And Dolls Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

We need more love in this world. Because ultimately that is what life is and without that there is nothing.

Thomas Drew,
Hate does serve a purpose. It can focus and marshal our resources. Professionally used it does not detract from reasoned analysis. The dangerous emotion that it is often confused with is contempt. That is an indulgence that will blind. We should fight to achieve Victory over an Enemy not to Prevail over an Adversary. We should not be so arrogant as to assume that we merely have to chastise the ignorant. It is a very short step from that to an inversion in which the elites who despise the masses that they know decide to appease the superior wisdom of the Other.

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BTW, for what it is worth I know Stephanie. She is for real. Now if only I could get someone to vouch that I am for real.

Radar, could you step into the office? The Colonel needs to sign your Security Clearance forms in his capacity as your Commanding Officer. Oh by the way, while you are there please remember to sign his Security Clearance forms in your capacity as Company Clerk.

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James Lipton of Inside the Actors Studio has made a nice living with the stack of index cards that he brings to each interview. He and others have parodied it. buddy larsen regarding the need to prepare and focus on key concepts is correct and any good politician or trained speaker, newscasters and politicians and business tycoons included will vouch for that. This is a skill that is highly prized in industry. In the 20th century ambitious businessmen joined the Toastmasters not only as a social networking club but to practice a craft.

Recently I joined about a dozen others from the American Red Cross in Greater New York at the opening of the Nasdaq. My smiling face was among those flashed on the outside of the building over Times Square. Our head of Public Affairs got to say a few nice words and press a button. What was impressive was how the person in charge of this little ritual for the Exchange introduced her by talking about charity and Haiti for five minutes without a piece of paper before him. Most people couldn't do it.

I have had to address the troops at morning quarters and I have taught. Public speaking takes preparation, it is work. Professionals simplify and bring less paper with them. As Churchill noted it takes more time to prepare and memorize a short good speech than to read a long dull one. When I was best man at a wedding I did get one of those old fashioned stacks of green folding computer print out, that tells you how long ago this was, and threatened to read my speech from it. Then I dropped it with a thud and toasted the couple.

My guess is that in a year it will be a punch line for Conservatives to pretend to read notes written in odd places and the year after everyone will do it. If Obama sinks as fast as some think though the Left may do it first.